The MXL 910 Voice/Instrument Condenser Microphone gives you topnotch condenser sound without the high-end price tag. Part of MXL's 900 Series mics, affordable mics ideal for home studios, the side-address 910 is a medium diaphragm condenser mic versatile enough to handle guitars, drums, and even vocals thanks to its cardioid polar pattern, and gold-sputtered, six micron diaphragm. The 910 boasts a generous 30Hz - 20kHz frequency range which is remarkably smooth and consistent between 50Hz through 1kHz, with a slight rise between the two, and a presence peak between 5K and 10K with a drop-off after 10K.

Alright, a lot of folk have wondered whether this was a good mic or not. After all, it was on the Stupid Deal of The Day and also a Black Friday special right...Read complete review

Alright, a lot of folk have wondered whether this was a good mic or not. After all, it was on the Stupid Deal of The Day and also a Black Friday special right after that. Lots of people got their order in and are biting their fingernails hoping they snagged a good mic for the price.

I got mine in the mail and immediately set it up to A/B against my Audio Technica AT-3035 - my reliable 'old faithful' stand by for vocals and instruments. I placed both mics exactly the same height right up against each other and belted out a few notes. I then did the same with a Martin X-series Acoustic guitar; and they were also placed about 6 feet from a live drum set in a very live room. Here's what I found :

On vocals, the MXL passed with flying colors. Could not believe I had to listen again and again to figure out which mic I liked better. After all - this AT3035 was my go-to mic for several acts and sounded great on male and female throats alike. Differences? The MXL was fuller in the bottom end (160-250hz), and silkier overall. Not super silky - remember, we're talking budget mics - but the A/T was slightly grainy in comparison. More headroom as well. Definitely a winner.

On the Martin 000 the MXL was woodier and more intimate sounding. Less string articulation, more resonance. Softer. The AT3035 on the other hand had more definition in the strings, a bit more bite, and less resonance. I can't decide which I like better because both capture elements of the guitar's true character. As a test I panned both left and right and it sounded like the guitar does in real life. Ha! It's a good thing I own both now!

On drum overheads AT3035 won hands down. This MXL is NOT an overhead mic. Snare and toms on the Pearl BRX sounded mid-rangey and nasty. The A/T captured the kit as it really SHOULD sound - punchy and bright.

I have not tried this mic on guitar amps so I cannot comment. Bottom line - if you can snag this mic on sale you will be glad you did. After a first bad experience with MXL when the 1st batch of 990s came out 8 years ago, I was tained for life, or so I thought. This mic changed my mind. Recommended if you can get it on a special.

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Most Liked Negative Review

Ok for the price

Just looking to add another mic to the studio and picked it up like everyone else on the stupid deal. So its ok for the price. Its a little thin on the vocal...Read complete review

Just looking to add another mic to the studio and picked it up like everyone else on the stupid deal. So its ok for the price. Its a little thin on the vocal side. I ran through a pre amp and eq'd for additional low end. Again it was ok but I wouldn't be using for a pro recording or anything. I did use it with an acoustic guitar that was running DI and then place this as a second source mid neck. It captured pretty well.

I also used it in the corner of the room while recording vocal and acoustic using other sources...just playing around and found it picked up a cool vibe. So for the price you can find something to do with it. But its not going to sound like a top shelf vocal mic.

I've used this a couple times on a grand piani, in a live performance. The mic is very hot, so not much gain needs to be added. Unlike most mics, I didn't have to add any EQ, as it sounded like a piano without any additional work. I'm quite pleased with it.

Excellent mic for twice the price...Rolls out smooth mellow vocals in small club acoustic setting. Very surprised at the clarity and reproduction...I've also used it for vocal recording....well worth the $$$

Let's face it, this is not the best mic but for the price it is a decent condenser mic. I have only used it in my spare bedroom / studio so far, but it was picking up the tv from downstairs and that was very faint to my ears. I plan to use this to record a drum circle, so sensitivity and frequency response is critical and the specs are good. Also, since it will be on the road, price and durability are also issues. MF had this at a great price, so I won't cry too much if it dies. The one downside is a lack of carrying case. The mic mount seems sturdy and that's a good thing as the mic is fairly bulky. So far I'm pleased with vocal response and presence in my studio. We'll see how it works on the gigs. I don't think it's worth full MSRP, but for what I gave it's a pretty good deal.

Truly a great mic for the price. You could probably even find a use for it in a professional studio. I purchased it at the sale price, if it goes on sale again I'd probably purchase a second one. Rather impressed!

I used two of these at first just to see as overhead drum mics. It took me a little bit but found that these even though very sensitive did what I wanted them to do. I have snare 4 mounted toms, two floor toms and several cymbals as well as a small xylophone. I ended up ordering another one for out front to get the bass and the bottoms of the toms. Still I play with the thought of getting a 7 piece drum mic set and a couple more but I don't need tool. The reason I wrote this was to help anyone thinking about using these on drums. Yes it can be done and personally I love them. You will need boom mic stands. I hope that helps.

Went from the dynamic sure sm57 to this one and i definently like this condensor microphone a lot better. Its more clear, really captures the sound, great microphone for recording acoustic guitar and electric guitar. Love it!

But, if you want to deck it out and make turn it into a mic that sounds amazing, there are replacement circuits as well as replacement diaphragm elements readily available on line ... just search for the mic name and designation.

Personally, I like the sounds I am recording with it, just the way it came but it is always nice to know that if you do need better, that you can actually perform simple upgrades, future proofing it!

I'm using the TASCAM dual input digital interface that I bought on another StupidDeal, with this mic and my PRS guitar plugged into it at the same time.

Nothing fancy! With phantom power switched on for the mic and the line out from my CyberTwin amp through the TASCAM dual and into my 3rd gen iPad running garageband for my DAW. Simple and effective.